At the David Eccles School of Business, a few of our guiding principles include Entrepreneurial Grit and Continuous Curiosity. As we strive for value creation amongst our community, we want to continually recognize culture that inspires, invites, and innovates.
In honor of Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month, the Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA) collaborated with the Business Student Government (BSG) to host a panel showcasing the “Real Power and True Culture” of Latinx entrepreneurs in the Salt Lake area.
The panel was moderated by two ALPFA leadership members, Michael Vargas and Edith Molina. This event was also the first bi-lingual event the Business Student Government has hosted, translated by Edith. We were joined by six entrepreneurs: Frida Guerrero from La Casa Del Tamal, Andres Sanchez from La Casa Del Tamal and Azucar Cafe, Omar Dominguez from Crown Alfajores, Milly Aponte from Always Smooth Utah Waxing Studio, and Diana Lopez from Cakes by Edith Bakery. We were honored to hear from them on the ways that they have demonstrated resilience, creativity, and innovation within the community. One attendee shared, “This event was amazing! It was great to hear from various people in the local community.”
Panelists were asked about the motivations of their entrepreneurial journey and the various cultural influences that they have integrated into their business models. Other topics of discussion included how young entrepreneurs can get started and ways to create a more supportive and inclusive environment for the next generation. Students were also able to get a taste of what a few of these entrepreneurs offer. La Casa Del Tamal donated 150 tamales, and Crown Alfajores and Cakes by Edith were catered for dessert. One student mentioned, “The food was delicious! The decor was amazing! Appreciated hearing from people around the valley.”
We want to give a big thanks to everyone who came out to show their support! If you’re interested in continuing to celebrate Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month, you can learn more and celebrate here.
Please note, the views and opinions expressed by Good Good Good are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Utah.